BOSTON — Nick Pivetta took the mound for the Purple Sox, maybe for the ultimate time because the high-energy 31-year-old enters free company this upcoming offseason with 48 hours left within the common season.
As anticipated, the potential send-off at Fenway Park to open the primary of Boston’s closing three matchups, towards the Tampa Bay Rays, sparked a response from Pivetta who’s spent the 4 and half years in Boston. Pivetta tipped his cap to the appreciative Fenway Park crowd after handing the ball over within the seventh inning and soaked within the second.
“It is my final begin, up to now, for me being a Purple Sox,” Pivetta mentioned after Boston’s 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay. “It has been a hefty 4 years, virtually 5 years for me, and there is a lot to be pleased about. The alternatives I have been given, and tried to benefit from each single considered one of them. But additionally had a number of assist alongside the best way and there have been lots of people round which have helped information me and a number of them are within the dugout, and have been within the dugout and a number of the teaching workers. So it is actually emotional for me.”
Pivetta added: “Boston’s grow to be fairly the house for me and my spouse, Kristen, and we actually take pleasure in it right here and really feel actually snug.”
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The Purple Sox acquired a wonderful efficiency from Pivetta because the right-hander tossed six consecutive shutout innings earlier than surrendering two runs within the seventh, ending the evening at 6 2/3 innings of permitting 4 hits and one stroll with six strikeouts. Boston’s offense didn’t assist Pivetta with any type of run manufacturing, not scoring its single run till the underside half of the seventh body, though it did not spoil what might be a sentimental finale for Pivetta in Boston.
“He likes it right here,” Purple Sox supervisor Alex Cora mentioned. “He likes the ambiance, he likes to compete. In the direction of the tip, he was sitting there in my seat (within the dugout) and was like, ‘This can be a good view.’ … He works so exhausting. It is intense, we speak about it. And immediately he was speaking in regards to the feelings, having flashbacks and all that stuff, no matter.”
Listed here are extra notes from Friday evening’s Rays-Purple Sox sport:
— The Purple Sox acquired Pivetta in 2021 from the Philadelphia Phillies earlier than embarking on their final postseason run, which ended within the American League Championship Sequence. Pivetta has since grown right into a dependable, blue-collar arm of versatility, able to offering innings from the rotation and bullpen. He ends 2024 having recorded a 2.08 ERA in his closing 5 begins at Fenway Park (31 1/3 innings).
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“I believe it is simply the buildup of all of it,” Pivetta defined. “There’s not too many moments the place you have been given a chance like I’ve and to be with a extremely nice group just like the Purple Sox, I am very fortunate and I am very, very grateful for that.”
— Boston’s first 5 batters went a mixed 2-for-19 with seven strikeouts whereas Triston Casas, the No. 3 hitter, recorded the group’s solely extra-base hit (a double) within the backside of the sixth inning.
— Opposing groups have held the Purple Sox to 1 run or scoreless 31 occasions this season.
— Boston dropped to an excellent 80-80 on the season and 24-26 when dealing with division opponents, together with 5-6 towards Tampa Bay.
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— The Purple Sox and Rays return for his or her second-to-final matchup of the yr on Saturday. First pitch from Fenway Park is about for 4:10 p.m. ET, and you may catch the reside motion, plus a full hour of pregame protection, reside on NESN.
